Barbara Ann Ladwig

Barbara Ladwig of Carlsbad, CA died on January 22, 2024 at the age of 89. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert; their four sons, David (Diane) of Washougal, WA; Michael and Thomas of San Diego, CA; and Steven (Jen Dyke) of Trinidad, CA; and their three granddaughters, Katherine Ladwig of Newburg, OR; Jennifer Ladwig of Clarkston, WA; and Zoe Ziegler of Arcata, CA.
Barbara was born and raised in Sheboygan, WI. She earned a degree in Business Education at Whitewater State College (now University of Wisconsin, Whitewater) and taught at Beaver Dam High School for three years. She and Robert (Bob) were married on October 17, 1959, moved to San Diego in 1960 and to Carlsbad in 1972.
When their boys were all in school, Barbara began what would turn out to be a lifetime of volunteer service. Her first experience was teaching English to foreign-born adults at the Carlsbad Literacy Center, which is part of Laubach Literacy International. She eventually became Director of the Center, as well as Director of Tutor-Training for San Diego County.
Her next foray was as a lay counselor at Birth Choice of Encinitas. When that location was closed, she began a long stint at the Brother Benno Foundation in Oceanside, filling a variety of volunteer positions, especially as writer and editor of their monthly newsletter. She also co-wrote a book about Brother Benno's with its founder, Harold Kutler.
In 1998, the Carlsbad City Counsel named Barbara "Citizen of the Year".